Where to Spot the Ball

A key part of “getting the play right” is where the ball is spotted after the official makes their ruling on a violation, a non-shooting foul or resumes play at the completion of a timeout.

This often overlooked component of the game can lead to careless spot placements, which will undoubtedly create unfair advantages for teams inbounding the ball.

Be vigilant in visualizing your “Inbound Triangle” for determining throw in spots for non-shooting fouls in the offensive team’s front court.

Did the foul occur inside your imaginary lines running from the free throw line elbows to the end line corners, or at the top of the key?

If so, the throw in spot will be on the endline.

If the foul took place outside the imaginary lines, then the spot throw in will take place on the sideline.

Careless ball placement, or a lack of understanding of the “Inbound triangle” will lead to several unfair advantages given (or missed opportunities for end line throw-ins) throughout the course of your game.

It is the location of the foul, not the location of where the ball is at the time of the foul that determines where the resumption of play throw in is to take place.

Conversely for timeouts, it is the location of the ball, not where the player or coach is who requests the stoppage in play that determines where the ball will be spotted to resume play.

The inconsistent spotting of throw-ins to resume play is common complaint of supervisors and those evaluating game tape. Be mindful of these throw in tips and you will be an “Image of Difference” official!

About the Author

Billy has over 40 years officiating / umpiring experience with basketball, soccer and fast-pitch softball in the Southern New Jersey area. As an IAABO member, cadet instructor and supervisor of officials – has been refereeing basketball for 40 years and recently started officiating scholastic soccer for the Atlantic – Cape – Cumberland County Officials Association (ACCSOA).

Additionally he is an NCAA umpire for the Eastern Collegiate Softball Umpires Association (ECSU) as well as a scholastic umpire for West (NJ) Chapter 5.

In the business world, Billy has more than 30 years of sales and marketing experience, most recently with Salesforce (NYSE:CRM), the industry leader in Customer Relationship Management and marketing tools.

Billy holds a Master’s Degree in Education (MEd) specializing in Sports Medicine and a Master’s Degree in Business Administration (MBA) in Technology Management.

He is also the co-author of four Amazon best-selling basketball officiating guides called, “Beyond the Rules” and the “GameTracker Journal.” Billy is also the co-founder of “60 Seconds on Officiating” a destination site for over 100,000 officials in 80 countries worldwide (ref60.com).

Billy resides in Wildwood, NJ and loves boating, fishing, and just about any activity that will leave sand between his toes.

Billy, wouldn’t this be a throw-in violation by the throwing team, and the ball would be awarded to the opposing team at the same spot where this throw-in occurred (similar to how you administer a throw-in violation where the throwing team throws the ball OOB without anyone touching it)?

If a ball is deflected on an inbounds play on the left side of the basket by the defensive team, and the ball bounces out clear on the right side of the court without being touched again, is the placement at the last point of contact or where the ball went OOB?

Question on possession arrow.
Team A has possession arrow to start the 2nd quarter. Team has fails to put the ball in play ( 5 second count). Team B now has possession to put the ball in play. Team B successfully put the ball in play, does the possession arrow switch to Team B.

A violation on the inbounding team causes them to lose the ball and arrow. If there is a foul that occurs on an Alt possession inbounds then they do not lose the arrow. Fouls do not change it for either team…violations on the offense do.. 5 seconds, step on the line, etc

If it goes out on the sideline side of the corner, it comes in on the corner of the sideline, not on the endline. This is the same for NFHS and NCAA-M rules (NCAA-W rules on inbound spots are the same as NFHS).